Amputechture
by The Mars Volta
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 130 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 112 out of 130
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 130
  3. Negative: 11 out of 130

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  1. Einar1J.
    Apr 10, 2008
    10
    Truly beautiful. Amputechture is TMV's most mature work, often flying between rock, jazz and soul. Don't get me wrong, this album sounded awful at first, taking perhaps 15 proper listens to realize its immense beauty. From start to finish I feel the amazing composition and praise cedric's vocals. Of course, this album is far from De-Loused on terms of accessibility, but it Truly beautiful. Amputechture is TMV's most mature work, often flying between rock, jazz and soul. Don't get me wrong, this album sounded awful at first, taking perhaps 15 proper listens to realize its immense beauty. From start to finish I feel the amazing composition and praise cedric's vocals. Of course, this album is far from De-Loused on terms of accessibility, but it shines through in the end. 'Vicarious Atonement' is jaw-dropping perfection, with 'Tetragrammaton' bringing the listener to rollercoasters of sound and distortion. 'Vermicide' is one of those oddly placed accessible songs in an album of distortion, fulfilling its place with simplicity. Next, 'Meccamputechture' sounds great then lags, but mainly due to its immense length. However, you fall in love with any flaws. 'Asilos Magdalena' is a stunning near-acoustic spanish ballad, totally crushing any typical mind-set. 'Viscera Eyes' is jazzed-up for action, crushing the listener with sound. 'Day of the Baphomets' is mind blowing and jammin' fun. The finale, 'El Ciervo Vulnerado' leaves you feeling like you just listened to a materpiece, without knowing what on earth, besides amputation, cedric has been taking about. Takes multiple listens, please take your time with this record, and don't rate a record you've never listened to.… Expand
  2. j30
    Dec 1, 2011
    6
    This roller coaster ride of a third disc disc, from the Mars Volta, is hard to look away from, but nearly crumbles under it's own ambitions.
  3. BrettW
    Feb 10, 2007
    10
    Oh my god, what the hell is wrong with you people?? TMV is THE most progressive and complex groups to hit the scene ever! Amazingly poetic, musically intricate. What more could you ask for?
  4. ManuelB.
    May 30, 2007
    10
    podria escribir esto en inglés pero al carajo... Me molesta mucho las críticas estúpidas de tan Baja Nota de 9 hacia abajo en esta OBRA MAESTRA. Solo demuestra la ignorancia y la escasa apreciación de arte que tienen los críticos de esta página. Si no logran VER que este album es una obra maestra de plano ponganse a criticar cosas mas sencillas podria escribir esto en inglés pero al carajo... Me molesta mucho las críticas estúpidas de tan Baja Nota de 9 hacia abajo en esta OBRA MAESTRA. Solo demuestra la ignorancia y la escasa apreciación de arte que tienen los críticos de esta página. Si no logran VER que este album es una obra maestra de plano ponganse a criticar cosas mas sencillas que no requieran talento alguno, como por ejemplo su Culo.… Expand
  5. KennethA
    Oct 1, 2006
    9
    great cd.
  6. CedT
    Oct 6, 2006
    3
    Nothing compared to De-Loused or Frances. Only a few songs that are worth listening to, and Cedric ruins almost every song he sings in. What happened to his ability to sing?
  7. MitchM
    Jul 27, 2006
    10
    This album is the definition of insanity.
  8. Tinuva
    Aug 27, 2006
    1
    Dear Observer Music Monthly, Don't ever relate Roxy Music with is overrated crap!! 3 albums and only 1 good song (The Widow). Tinuva
  9. fd
    Aug 8, 2006
    10
    muy buen disco la cago el mejor en mxo tiempo
  10. SalP
    Sep 12, 2006
    8
    one of the best prog rock album have heard recently.
  11. marsvolta
    Sep 12, 2006
    10
    I love this album! Maybe even more than De-Loused
  12. AdamF
    Sep 18, 2006
    10
    Eat the baby!!
  13. MikeC
    Sep 11, 2006
    5
    This is definitely the lamest thing they've done. This album reeks of John Frusciante's input and it bores me in comparison to De-Loused and Frances The Mute. I'd rather listen to Tremulant...and I HATE Tremulant.
  14. jims
    Sep 12, 2006
    4
    To respond to Lewis T's review, first of all, TMV were against labeling themselves as a prog rock band, because of all the negative connotations surrounding the name. They felt they were progressive in the true sense of the word, pushing the boundaries of music. So, while prog rock bands make long, noodling songs, a progressive band would challenge expectation and defy those and To respond to Lewis T's review, first of all, TMV were against labeling themselves as a prog rock band, because of all the negative connotations surrounding the name. They felt they were progressive in the true sense of the word, pushing the boundaries of music. So, while prog rock bands make long, noodling songs, a progressive band would challenge expectation and defy those and similar notions. But the TMV aren't really innovative, the more they talk about how prog they aren't, the more they seem to fall into its cliches. This album really sounds like its recycling the dinosaur prog from the last 4 decades instead of really breaking new territory. I'm all about music being bombastic and pulling us out our daily life experiences, instead of relating to them, but this album just sounds silly. And boring. If it was at least exciting, I'd be more ok with not liking it, but flat production (where'd the drums go?) and super mellow/cheesy ballads make this neuteured experimentation for the masses. Originally, I thought this album was a 2 tops, but I'm now able to enjoy it more like I would Trapped in the Closet. There's plenty to laugh at, like the intro the Meccamputechture, and the rest quickly fades from memory. I woudln't be bothered with people like TMV so much if they stopped talking about how much OMGFZTHEYROXX!!!, because they really don't anymore, and how they combine all these crazy genres together, because again they don't. It's prog + salsa, not that hard to figure out.… Expand
  15. NelsonD
    Dec 5, 2006
    7
    The songs 6 and 7 are the best. The others songs are less. Not so good than the 2 first album.
  16. SeanH
    Oct 27, 2006
    3
    Some Catchy riffs here and there, some interesting lyrics here and there, good bass line and drumming comes throuh on a couple tracks, but all told I don't like listening to this album. When theres a good 2 minute part out of an 8 minute long song it just makes you realize that 3/4 of this album is not any good.
  17. john
    Sep 11, 2006
    3
    the mars volta are one of the most overrated bands,their music is a rip off,santana meets glam rock,thats all.you want progressive,don´t listen to copycats,go directly to the source
  18. CraigR.
    Dec 22, 2007
    5
    I haven't listened to this album, but I do own the first two Mars Volta albums (didn't care much for either, but the first one was decent enough), but I really just wanted to comment on the ridiculous number of "if you don't like it, you're not smart enough to understand it" remarks". Since when do we use a person's inclinations towards prog rock to determine a I haven't listened to this album, but I do own the first two Mars Volta albums (didn't care much for either, but the first one was decent enough), but I really just wanted to comment on the ridiculous number of "if you don't like it, you're not smart enough to understand it" remarks". Since when do we use a person's inclinations towards prog rock to determine a person's intelligence? Based on my previous experiences with the Mars Volta, I've found them to be rather indecipherable, and really requiring way more time than I'm willing to invest in a band. Is it not acceptable that someone may not want to approach his or her music the same way they approach a college course on metaphysics? The Mars Volta are ultimately a band that I can appreciate for their technical ability and willingness to try new things, but they're certainly not a band that I would want to sit down and listen to. I get enough headaches from my college curriculum, thanks.… Expand
  19. SethD
    Oct 4, 2006
    9
    The melody dosen't present itself until your almost done being patient. Then like a magic eye book, remember them? It suddenly becomes undeniable. This is a grower, but goodness is it worth it! the sonic explorations, the frenzied jazz, the hooks, yes there are some great hooks. I feel like I'm enjoying some important music. So so reviews, but take it from me because I'm a The melody dosen't present itself until your almost done being patient. Then like a magic eye book, remember them? It suddenly becomes undeniable. This is a grower, but goodness is it worth it! the sonic explorations, the frenzied jazz, the hooks, yes there are some great hooks. I feel like I'm enjoying some important music. So so reviews, but take it from me because I'm a genius, this album is great.… Expand
  20. Pavers
    Sep 12, 2006
    10
    Another Mars Volta album filled with passion, energy and attitude.
  21. JuanR
    Sep 22, 2006
    10
    This album doesn't deserve a 10. It's probably somewhere in the 8-9 range for me, but with every mouth-breather that drops by to leave a 0 rating with a three word review, this should help even it out. Here's the deal, folks. For every seriously informative and imaginative critic, there are thousands of slacker, juco-dropout "writers" with a keyboard in one hand and a This album doesn't deserve a 10. It's probably somewhere in the 8-9 range for me, but with every mouth-breather that drops by to leave a 0 rating with a three word review, this should help even it out. Here's the deal, folks. For every seriously informative and imaginative critic, there are thousands of slacker, juco-dropout "writers" with a keyboard in one hand and a thesaurus in the other. These men and women stand ready to clumsily wield large words to convince you that a completely subjective art form is rigidly graded according to an arbitrary system they came up with while listening to Kid A. Amputechture is like any other piece of challenging music: some will love it, some will hate it. Find out for yourself instead of letting someone decide for you.… Expand
  22. brianK
    Jan 2, 2007
    8
    Good, but not amazing. The most glaring issue with this album is that it is no where near as good as Deloused in the Comatorium and Frances the Mute
  23. Crabsody
    Nov 11, 2006
    7
    Not so good as previous albums of the band but still one of the best of this very mediocre year. Viscera Eyes is great
  24. TomS
    Oct 1, 2006
    10
    Excellent Album by The Mars Volta as always, my favourite song by them has to be Cicatriz in the Scab dates album. Anyhoo... yes great album favourites songs being Tetragammaton and Meccamputechture, bass lines are supreme with a mental drummer, what more do you want
  25. danf
    Nov 2, 2006
    9
    Not as good as Frances, much better than deloused, the volta start out weak with Vicarious Atonement. They then launch into the amazing tetragrammation and dont burn out until the final track... which is just kind of random noises and a guitar solo. Fantastic album for those willing to give it a shot, for those who aren't... i dunno go listen to yellowcard or something you wankers.
  26. tomw
    Sep 11, 2006
    0
    The best new test to the age old question: am I a poser? Best found by answering the question: do I like this album? Nothing reedeming. Talented musicians dissapearing into their own indulgences. They've always sound like they're masturbating... it's just that now, they don't even sound like they're enjoying it.
  27. Jack
    Sep 11, 2006
    9
    Thanks to all the gods that exists someone who tries something diferent and new.TMV with Amputechture doesnt beat the greatness of De-Loused, but creates another mark in experimental music, another great album
  28. truewheel
    Sep 13, 2006
    10
    This is not an easy album. I didn't begin to fully appreciate it until 5 listens in. Which just makes it all the more rewarding. Complex time signatures; unconventional song structures; non-narrative lyrics. If you like your rock to be a junk food fix then leave this alone....however if you prefer a 3 course meal - start with their debut "De-Loused in the Comotorium", main course This is not an easy album. I didn't begin to fully appreciate it until 5 listens in. Which just makes it all the more rewarding. Complex time signatures; unconventional song structures; non-narrative lyrics. If you like your rock to be a junk food fix then leave this alone....however if you prefer a 3 course meal - start with their debut "De-Loused in the Comotorium", main course "Amputecture" and then dessert with the somophore "Francis the Mute". And then just when you think your musical belly is ready to burst....go see them live. Mr Creosote. Period.… Expand
  29. TedJ
    Sep 15, 2006
    8
    good album with great moments. live, it's even better. pitchfork bugs the fuck out of me. phrases like "piss-soaked indulgence," "hodgepodge of ADD prog trope noodles," "wavy gravy," "heady hand drums," "weirdo Crimson King corn-dogging," "'Been Caught Stealin'-on-DXM shower ballad"... wow. such writing embodies the very excesses and self-satisfied inanity that writer good album with great moments. live, it's even better. pitchfork bugs the fuck out of me. phrases like "piss-soaked indulgence," "hodgepodge of ADD prog trope noodles," "wavy gravy," "heady hand drums," "weirdo Crimson King corn-dogging," "'Been Caught Stealin'-on-DXM shower ballad"... wow. such writing embodies the very excesses and self-satisfied inanity that writer Brandon Stosuy TRIES to decry within the cloying verbiage of his review. Like many Pitchfork reviews, the writer panders to the pretentious philistines, attempting to impress us and deflect any potential rebuttal by stuffing his review with as many SAT vocabulary words and "oh-look-at-how-much-i-know-about-music" references as possible. over it.… Expand
  30. Blakey
    Sep 24, 2006
    10
    james C Im an aussie and am ashamed that people relate australian music to ACDC, unlike mars volta whom produce the most out there and unique music of this era ACDC produced the same sound their entire career and fair to say cedrics voice is a lot more breath taking than bon scotts wasted breath, Amputechture is easy to critcise on its first few listens but let it grow on you and it only amazes.
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Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Most Discussed Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 28
  3. Negative: 3 out of 28
  1. Observer Music Monthly
    100
    This early-Roxy-Music-meets-late Led-Zep-style third studio album finds the band stepping back from total impenetrability with a pithy, eight-song, 76-minute set, guaranteed to restore the faith of those whose confidence in this grand enterprise was waning.
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  2. Uncut
    60
    It initially seems as if the moments of inspiration between self-indulgences are becoming scarcer. A bracing middle section resuces Amputechture. [Sep 2006, p.89]
  3. Blender
    80
    It’s epic, mercurial, high-impact progressive rock that moves like a whirlwind.
    Read full review
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